There is a strong possibility of a pension hike for pensioners under the Employees Pension Scheme (EPS). Currently, the minimum pension under EPS-95 is Rs 1,000, which has remained unchanged since it was fixed in September 2014. However, the good news is that their long-standing demand for a pension hike may soon be fulfilled. In this article, we will share all the details on the DA hike and pension update.

Who Contributes How Much to EPFO?

Under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), employees contribute 12% of their basic salary, and employers match this contribution. Of the employer’s contribution, 8.33% goes to the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), while the remaining 3.67% is added to the EPF account.

What Are the Demands of Pensioners?

A pensioners’ organization is actively advocating for a higher minimum pension. According to the organization, over 78 lakh pensioners under EPFO across the country are eagerly waiting for a pension hike. Recently, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya assured the group that their demands will be met. These demands include an increase in the minimum pension, provision of free medical facilities for retired employees and their spouses, and correction of errors in pension applications.

Recent Talks with the Government

The EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC), which has been supporting pensioners for years, recently held talks with the government. These talks have raised hopes that the minimum pension could be revised after nearly 10 years.

Demand for Pension Revision in 2025

Ahead of the Budget 2025, a delegation of retired EPS-95 employees met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They presented their demands, which included raising the minimum pension to Rs 7,500 per month and adding Dearness Allowance (DA) benefits. The pension hike, including DA, has been a long-standing demand. Pensioners have been pushing for an increase in their monthly pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500, along with improved healthcare facilities for retired employees and their spouses.

Hope for a Positive Outcome

The Finance Minister assured the delegation that their concerns would be considered soon. With these developments, pensioners are hopeful that the long-awaited increase in the minimum pension in 2025 will become a reality.